The History of the National Football League

Abstract

This paper analyzes the complete development from the origin to modern day modifications of the National Football League (NFL). Starting with the earliest forms of football, this study describes the inception of football at college level and the evolution of associated rules and gameplay that formed the framework for the NFL. Then, the paper details the emergence of the NFL in the 20th century, including important people, teams, the first league structure, and all the challenges during the formative years of the league. Moreover, the paper describes the expansion and professionalization of football during major events like the Great Depression and World War 2 and the impact these eras had on the NFL. It analyzes the impacts of famous players and teams, Television, and significant rule changes that came to mark modern football. In addition, this study analyzes the issues of race, labor disputes, international expansion of the NFL, and the business aspects of the game. Lastly, the paper discusses the impacts of technology, culture, and other modern day challenges the NFL faces in the 21st century contemplating the future of the league. To achieve this goal, the paper demonstrates the need of sociological imagination.

Year Manuscript Completed

Spring 2025

Senior Project Advisor

George Barton

Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Integrated Studies Degree

Field of Study

Commerce & Leadership

Document Type

Thesis

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